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[Collection of George W. Tillotson, H company, 89th regiment, New York, infantry] [Decimalized .01-.208]

Sergeant Tillotson served with the 89th NYS Vols (Dickinson Guards). He came from Greene, NY and left behind a wife and three children. His correspondence, mostly with his wife A. Elizabeth ("Libby") describe camp life, complains about the war...

GLC04558

To his wife

Discusses provisions and recruiting. Written on patriotic stationery.

GLC04558.001

To his wife

"I am not disappointed much as to soldiers life it is easier if anything as yet than I expected...." Also, "Damn the schoolmaster but then you know I an't [sic] afraid of him caus[e] why I've got good faith in my little wifes constancy besides I...

GLC04558.003

To his wife

Payday of $24.26, sees Vice President but has not seen Lincoln or McClellan. Rumors about their expedition. The letter is continued the next day. Written aboard the "Arracan"

GLC04558.006

To his wife

Washing clothes, food: "...sea buiskets which is a kind of very hard cracker. They taste pretty much like any other craker but I have about put my jaws out of joint chewing them but today they delt out pilot bread which is very much like soda...

GLC04558.007

To his wife

Traveling by ship, sea sickness: "I don't believe I have got over it yet for this eternal rocking heaving rolling bobing head [w]rong side up all the while." Cost of special food. Letter continued on 26th of January.

GLC04558.008

To his wife

Raising tents, selling bread that he baked, size of expedition. Written on patriotic stationery. Encloses an envelope originally addressed to him as an example to his wife of how not to address envelopes.

GLC04558.009

To his wife

Settled in camp, weather, price of food coming down.

GLC04558.010

To his wife

No mail, sickness (fever). Includes a letter on the last page to his daughter Georgiana in which he encourages her to learn to read and write so she can send him a letter.

Written at Camp Winfield Scott.

GLC04558.011

To his wife

Sea trip to Roanoke. "General Burnsides... think we shall be on our way home soon but even he may be mistaken...." Expected expedition to Norfolk. Letter continued on 1st of March. Written on patriotic stationery. Written at Camp Dickinson.

GLC04558.012